Drug tests not needed in 1993: Argentina soccer

Argentina's soccer federation says it was not required to have drug testing for a 1993 World Cup playoff against Australia.

Written by Associated Press

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Buenos Aires:

Argentina's soccer federation says it was not required to have drug testing for a 1993 World Cup playoff against Australia.

Former national coach Diego Maradona said last week in a TV interview that Argentine players were given "speedy coffee" to perform better, and that FIFA Vice President Julio Grondona did away with doping controls for the games.

Tuesday's statement by the Argentine Football Association was its first in writing since Maradona's remarks. The statement did not address the comment about stimulants.

The federation said doping tests at the time were required only for the World Cup itself. It said all Argentines involved followed the rules "to the letter of the law."